#My previous gifset was such a disaster I wanted to do something better

[harwin-breakbones-strong]

Lyatt + the term of endearment they gave one another

[canary3d-obsessed]

Restless Rewatch: The Untamed Episode 19, part two

(Masterpost) (Other Canary Stuff) (Previous Post)

Warning: Spoilers for All 50 Episodes!

The Man Comes Around

Over at the Wen Indoctrination Tower, which seems to exist just to torture Lan Wangji with stair climbing, Lan Wangji is climbing the stairs. Too bad his cultivation level is too low to be able to just jump up. At least this time his leg isn't broken.

This is the first vengeful stair-climb in the show, but not the last. (Parallel gifset here).

The Wen guards are stationed all the way at the pinnacle of this tower to guard...what? Why are they not at the bottom of the stairs? What is this location for, actually? This is further up the stairs than the scenes with the indoctrination lectures. Anyway, it's been three months since Wen Chao threw Wei Wuxian into the burial mounds, so naturally these guards are talking about that exact thing as Lan Wangji approaches.

Lan Wangji knocks them all down with a blast from his guqin. Did you know his guqin is named Wangji, by the way? It is. A guy who is that lazy about naming his quqin maybe shouldn't feel so superior to a guy who named his sword "whatever." 

(I'm suddenly remembering a plush lamb I had as a child, whose eyes were orange, that I named "orange eyes.") (I, however, was three. And I had a lot of plush lambs. Little ones. Grown-ups found it hilarious to give them to me.) (Native speakers of English can probably guess what OP's real name is. Hint: it rhymes with Canary.) (Everybody else: there is a kid's rhyming song called Mary Had A Little Lamb. OP's name is Mary.)

Anyhoo, after Lan Wangji is finally finished with his dramatic entrance, Jiang Cheng comes flying in from wherever he's been hovering for the past 20 minutes of stair time. A bunch of Lan sidekicks also flood into the frame from wherever they were hiding during the wide shots of LWJ on the staircase.

In case you hope that CQL Lan Wangji is as much of a top (offscreen) as MZDS Lan Wangji is (on the page), here's a gif for you.

(more after the cut)

He uses the patented Lan string attack to choke this guard.  Lan Wangji doesn't have to hold a guqin string in his hands to choke someone with it. He doesn't even have to tighten it, judging by how absurdly not-tight this string is.

Or maybe this guy is choking on the chin strap of his helmet. This is exactly how OP's son reacts when OP sticks a bike helmet on him. (Note: it's GOOD that they are following choking safety protocols on set. Very good. However, they could have just left the string out and pretended, and it would look better, in this instance)

The Wen guard tells Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng about the whole "thrown into the burial mounds" thing.  Team Let's Find Wei Wuxian is not happy to hear this.

A Vengeful Ghost

Meanwhile, in some Wen office somewhere? Where the hell is this? Yiling, we get an ominous shot of the rooftops where Wei Wuxian is lurking and then we see Wang Lingjiao trying to sleep and having a nightmare.

Wang Lingjiao has gone to sleep with a full face of makeup on instead of washing her face before bed. She has forgotten the important maxim, Go To Sleep Pretty, Wake Up Zitty.

She leaps out of bed to go cling to Wen Chao and freak out about Wei Wuxian's ghost. Wen Chao is trying to read the sports section and has clearly had enough of this crap. This has presumably been going on for a little while now.

Wang Lingjiao is in a new outfit, which is...pajamas? It has the feel of a 1930's French peignoir set, and it's much more softly colored than her usual bright red-purple combo. If this is her pajamas is it weird that her day clothes are a lot more aggressively sexy-looking than her nightgown? A freak in the streets but a lady in the sheets.

Wen Chao rants about the Sunshot Campaign and talks some smack about Wen Qing, and then leaves to go to the bar and watch the game with Wen Zhuliu. After he leaves Wang Lingjiao freaks out for a bit and then looks at the notice he was reading.

The notice basically says that the Sunshot Campaign is kicking their ass. She should be proud for inspiring the name of the campaign with that kite-shooting bullshit she made up at Lotus Pier. Before slaughtering everyone.

No Matter What You Do, I Only Want To Be With You

Back at the Indoctrination Tower, Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng are having feelings about Wei Wuxian. Jiang Chang does all the talking but Lan Wangji's thoughts are louder because a sad violin is playing Wangxian while they talk.

Jiang Cheng tells Lan Wangji about their meetup plan and says he thought WWX had dumped him to go find Lan Wangji in Lanling. Lan Wangji telepathically indicates that this didn’t happen. This means two things: 1. Lan Wangji has been hanging out in Lanling, where Jiang Yanli has been hanging out, so maybe they have bonded over the past 3 months and 2. This is the first time Jiang Cheng has talked to Lan Wangji since Wei Wuxian disappeared. 

Much as my fic-loving heart would like to believe these two spent three months on the road together looking for Wei Wuxian, in fact they are both important high-level fighters in an active military campaign, and Lan Wangji was busy taking back the Cloud Recesses while Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian were having elective surgery. They probably both were assigned to the "Indoctrination Bureau" mission and this is the first chance they've had to talk about Wei Wuxian.

Is it heartbreaking that, while Wei Wuxian was helplessly getting his ass beat because he'd sacrificed his golden core for Jiang Cheng, Jiang Cheng believed Wei Wuxian had abandoned him for Lan Wangji? Yes. Yes it is.

For some reason Jiang Cheng is hesitant to believe that Wei Wuxian really was thrown into the Burial Mounds. I mean, I understand not wanting to believe Wei Wuxian is dead, but given that Wen Chao is the dude who oversaw the massacre of all of the people at Lotus Pier, including kids, why would Jiang Cheng think his guards are wrong? Maybe he just feels like Wei Wuxian is invincible, since so far he kinda has been. 

The Sword is Mightier Than Not Having a Sword

While they've been chatting, the Lan disciples have found their swords. One disciple is holding Bichen (LWJ's sword), Sandu (JC's sword), and OP consults wiki Suihua (Jin Zixuan's sword). Another disciple is holding Subian (WWX's sword).  

Jiang Cheng grabs Sandu while the Lan disciples, who apparently know their gongzi’s heart, offer Wei Wuxian's sword to Lan Wangji. 

Lan Wangji takes Subian (Bichen: What am I, chopped watercress?) and immediately tries to draw it. Like you don't do. It's sealed itself, which apparently means that it's upset. It's unclear if it's upset because Wei Wuxian is dead or if it just misses him, however.  

Lan Wangji definitely misses him, and wonders, out loud inside his own head, where Wei Wuxian is. Um, he's in the Burial Mounds, dude, they just told you. Well, I guess he's actually in Yiling proper at this point, haunting Wang Lingjiao as he promised her he would.

Twa Corbies

The scene shifts to Qinghe, where there are about 12 dead bodies lying around, which in this show means that there are really a few hundred. In fact, per Jiang Yanli's statement "nothing can be seen but corpses covering the plains." The camera can't see most of them, is all.

Wen Xu's head is hanging in the doorway, and the Jins talk about how Nie Mingjue killed him, cutting his head off with just one swing. Is this foreshadowing anything, like perhaps someone else's head being cut off by Baxia in just one swing? Nope, definitely not.

A couple of crows are perched on a body, totally not eating it, but Jin Zixuan gallantly zaps them with a talisman to make them fly away anyway.  It might be noteworthy that nobody used to use talismans but gradually more and more people are using them - particularly people who have spent time with Wei Wuxian.

With mony a lock of his golden hair-o, we’ll theek our nest when it grows bare-o

Asshole cousin Jin Zixun says “scavenger rights,” so Jin Zixuan puts him in charge of collecting all the bodies. 

Since OP just finished watching fur-collar-happy Nirvana in Fire, these crows look to me like they are wearing luxurious fur collars. Where OP lives, crows are not this fancy. 

A Romantic Corpse-Filled Interlude

Disaster het Jin Zixuan goes to help Jiang Yanli get out of the carriage but she rejects his hand just like he rejected hers back in Gusu.

Jiang Yanli is extremely shocked when she sees Wen Xu's severed head, and turns away in horror, preferring to calmly rest her eyes on dozens of crow-pecked corpses.

Jin Zixuan tries to comfort her and she tells him she'll be going now, thanks for the hospitality. He tries to say that he has to personally deliver her to a representative of the patriarchy one of her brothers, but then one of her brothers shows up.

Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng arrive, having presumably flown there from Qishan. They show that they are flying by blowing a fan on the ground and then jumping off of a box, which is better than the effects we were subjected to earlier in the episode.

Jiang Cheng rushes over to have an emotional reunion with Jiang Yanli, while Lan Wangji rushes over to have an emotional reunion with Wen Xu’s severed head. Jin Zixuan kind of spoils it for him by talking about Wei Wuxian's absence while Lan Wangji is trying to have a moment.

The whole time Jin Zixuan is talking to him, Lan Wangji appears to be gazing into the middle distance but in fact he is staring at Wen Xu's severed head. This is the guy who led the burning of Cloud Recesses, killed a bunch of disciples, and personally broke Lan Wangji's leg. Lan Wangji stares at his head for more than a full minute before glancing away.

Jiang Yanli hasn't seen Jiang Cheng since they were in Wen Qing's clinic, and she is happy he's recovered. When she asks about Wei Wuxian he gives her the bad news in the classic Jiang fashion, which is to say nothing, but look stricken until your interlocutor figures out that something is horribly wrong, but not precisely what.

Four Angry Men

Inside the fortress, Nie Mingjue is slapping the table and saying, this bad boy can hold so much resentment and vengeance. They're having a mini war council and we're getting a better sense of Nie Mingjue's anger management problem. Note for those who don't get the gif reference: this is a The Godfather joke, not a sex joke, but it can be both, if you like.

We're also getting a little more info about Baxia, who seems to be eager to go fight even without anyone wielding it. (Her? Him? Them? do swords have gender? I don't know). Well done, person below the camera frame whose job is to rattle Baxia in a menacing manner.

They've got a giant model of the battle targets, which looks like it was carved out of real rock (I mean, as much as any of the rocks on this show look like real rocks) and has its own table and everything, decorated in Nie colors. Where was this before they took Qinghe back? Has Nie Mingjue been traveling with it? 

Anyway, I'm assuming Nie Huaisang made it, because it's pretty nice. Hopefully they will keep it around for tabletop gaming after the war is over.

Jiang Cheng is upset but is using his anger management mantra to help control his temper while Jin Zixuan and Lan Wangji talk with Nie Mingjue. 

Lan Wangji talks by leaning forward meaningfully, mostly not by using any words, but he asks for a battle assignment and Jiang Cheng immediately joins in. They both want to go find Wei Wuxian. 

Nie Mingjue says Yiling is too difficult of a target, but Lan Wangji puts on his determined face, which is apparently very persuasive.  

After Team Find Wei Wuxian leaves, Nie Mingjue asks Jin Zixuan to hang back so he can ask him how Meng Yao is doing. This is the first time he finds out that his ex didn't go to Lanling. Jin Zixuan tries to delicately remind him that Dad's got, like, SO many bastard children, they really don't have space for all of them. Nie Mingjue dismisses him immediately and abruptly. 

Nie Mingjue might invite the straights to his party but he isn't interested in actually socializing with them.

Unconditional Soup is Only for A-Xian

Jiang Cheng can't sleep, and takes some time, now, to be sad about Wei Wuxian. Presumably he spent the prior 3 months being mad, not sad, because he really thought he just buggered off without saying anything for all that time. Which is sort of fair, but sort of not. One thing about these two bros is that for as close as they have been and as much as they love each other, their mutual understanding has some big, messy gaps.

Fortunately while he is feeling sad, Jiang Cheng does not try to draw Subian from its sheath, because wouldn't THAT be awkward.

Jiang Yanli can't sleep either, and comes to sit with him. Jiang Cheng feels bad that she's wearing herself out with worry and she says "As your sister, I have nothing to do but to worry about you." Jiang Yanli isn't one to complain but she doesn't like being inactive or helpless. In Lanling she was far from the war, but now that she's in Qinghe she'll make herself useful by tending the wounded, and later she'll help Jiang Cheng shoulder his responsibilities as he takes over the Jiang clan.

At the moment, however, all she can do is fret and make soup. As she gives Jiang Cheng a bowlful she reminds him that he absolutely has to rescue their brother who has, according to his captors, been reduced to bone dust.

With all the impossible shit that Jiang Cheng is expected to achieve - and in many instances, does achieve - he is absolutely the embodiment of the Jiang Clan's motto. Fuck his father for disrespecting him because he hadn't figured out how to do everything by the age of 16.

Definitely Not Chilling in Yiling

Back in Yiling, Wen Chao is hearing the news that the Qishan Indoctrination Bureau has fallen and that he's being called back to Nightless City. Wen Chao says he shouldn't need to go back because his dad has a new right-hand man. That new right-hand man, we will eventually learn, is Meng Yao. Wang Lingjiao, meanwhile, is hiding under the bed covers and deciding it's time to dump Wen Chao.

She locks the door and goes to pull out her jewelry box, which is locked and hidden under the bed. Maybe this is Wen Chao's jewelry box, because she acts kind of squirrely about opening it. Upon opening the jewelry box, she doesn't find jewelry but a pair of bloody fake eyeballs staring at her.  She screams and freaks out and then the wind picks up and we hear the sound of a flute, playing the "I'm here to fuck your shit up" tune that Wei Wuxian likes.

Wang Lingjiao runs to the door and pulls down the protection talisman that's pasted above it, and pastes it directly to her chest instead, which is, we will learn in the next episode, the worst idea she could possibly have at this point.

Then she uses a poking stick to go flip the jewelry box open and finds it's full of ugly-ass jewelry again, plus an improbable number of weird round paper-mache biscuits that have been painted gold. None of this jewelry looks anything like the exquisite accessories people wear in this show, which means this stash was put together by the practical effects department, not by the costume department.

Anyway, Wang Lingjiao apparently thinks she can sell this fakeass stuff for a good price, so more power to her. But then we get a short glimpse of the menacing eyeballs again, this time on the floor, having moved out of the box and brought their little blood pool with them. Screeching ensues.

Next episode: Lady in Red!

Soundtrack: Twa Corbies, by Steeleye Span

[tiriansjewel]

2021 Thank Yous

hey folks! We’re already seven days into January but I wanted to welcome in the new year by thanking some friends and mutuals and creators that made the previous year brighter and better even amongst the depressing reality of covid and the outside world. You have all been so supportive of me and my work and I love seeing all your work as well, and here’s to 2022!

@daintyduck99- as soon as we started talking in march I knew this was going to be a lasting friendship. You are so kind and thoughtful, and I love your sense of humor. Every time you share a piece of writing with me it warms my soul, you are so talented and create such beautiful imagery with your words. I can’t wait to send you more unsettling Facebook posts for us to both laugh at ❤️

@psyduckappears- I cannot express how much fun I have had talking to you. We always seem to have something to discuss in our ten minute long video rants and you are so intelligent and good at everything you do, it amazes me. Thank you for breaking my heart with all your angst 💛

@nuandia- my goodness, where to begin with you? When we started talking I didn’t realize how many of your fics i had read and loved but I just have to say you are the queen of polyphantoms and writing shit that squeezes my heart. I loved all our absurdly long video calls over the summer and relating over all our anxieties. I really miss you and miss brainstorming with you and I hope we can talk more this year 💜

@phantomsjulie- my dear, you are my oldest friend in fandom and I’m so grateful for you. I love that we just keep hopping fandoms together and I’ve had such fun yelling about all our favorite female characters. You make such beautiful edits and gifsets and that susan/lilliandil fic is still one of my favorite things on AO3. You’re amazing 💗

@theanarik- sometimes I still laugh about the conversation that started our friendship— an asexual lesbian telling a bisexual how to write good mlm spice— there’s definitely some irony there haha. for real though, I love how we can go off about anything and how much great advice you’ve given me, you’re truly like an older sister and I’m so thankful for you. You keep me connected to the batshit craziness that is supernatural and I hope to beta many more destiel fics for you in the future 🧡

@sunsetcurveofficial- I never thought I’d be a person to organize a fandom event but it’s because of you that I got into peterpatter in the first place. I love all your work so much and I know we don’t talk often, but you’ve been so supportive of me and there is no one else (+ the bugs) that I would have rather done peterpatter fest with. You rock! 🖤

@favoriteliar- I am so happy about the fact that we connected through our mutual friend and started smashing our brains together and seeing what happened! You are hands down my favorite creator in the jatp fandom- you do it all and you do it all well, gifs, art, fic, headcanons, and just being a supportive friend. You’ve stuck around even when others have lost interest and been such an original voice. Here’s to actually finishing the dark AU in 2022 since I have actually been working on it lately lmao (famous last words) 💚

@hyperfixated-bastard- still can’t believe we met in a saf discord. Seriously though, you’re a bop. You always make me laugh because your sense of humor is top tier, I love that we get to be a disaster bi and lesbian duo, so cool for us. Embrace the horse girl cringe! You’re one of my best friends and here’s to more unhinged facetimes and hopefully meeting in person soon 💙

here are some additional mentions of mutuals or people I’ve had fun conversations with or creatives I really enjoy seeing on my dash! I appreciate all of you so much and sorry if I didn’t get around to mentioning everybody :)

@catoptrific @lucbian @athoughtfox @invisibleraven @julies-butterflies @toorational @sunnysbright @astorytotellyourfriends @calormen @luffys @glasswaters @madnessiseverything

[margridarnauds]

ronan & olympe for the ship opinions? (also please let your previous anon know that they're the funniest person in the world and i love them)

So…interesting thing, there. And something I’ve been increasingly thinking about as I think back on my last few years of fandom, my evolving feelings towards M/F shipping, and how fandom, as a whole, treats M/F ships. I’m going to apologize in advance for the length since I KNOW you didn’t sign on for 1.5k words of reminiscence. 

Also: BEAGLE ANON, YOU’RE THE FUNNIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD. 

When I first started out with 1789, in about 2015 or so, I was actually pro-Ronan/Olympe. Like, I wanted NOTHING more than fix-it fics where they retired to the country and had babies. I listened to La Guerre Pour se Plaire for HOURS, getting caught in the gothic atmosphere and the passionate, conflicted lyrics. But, at the time, the overall fandom environment was…well. Not conducive to it. And I was young, and I wasn’t strong in my opinions yet, so I stood back and kept it to myself. I think that might be part of why I ended up backing away from 1789 when I did. Yeah, I liked it, but I didn’t have a strong sense of community, and most of the attention, at that time, was in the Mozart, L’Opera fandom, and I wasn’t a major picture there. I attended streams, yeah, but I wasn’t a CONTENT creator, and it was easy for me to fade into the background, I think. Maybe because I was too afraid to be a content creator, back then, because that would involve possibly expressing my own opinions. I accepted that Ronan/Olympe was No bad, terrible, awful based on that desire to fit in, because it was so much EASIER. Just like I accepted that French 1789 was a disaster, that MOR was much better, and that, really, it wasn’t worth the effort. Just an inferior musical. (The problem, of course, was that I NEVER liked MOR as well as I liked 1789. Maybe it’s better put together, but I don’t ENJOY it as much, and imo it drags quite a bit at a few places, a problem shared by its German counterpart.) 

I came back to 1789 around…2017, with the European Musicals Streaming event, with the Takarazuka one totally stealing my heart, specifically Lazare/Ronan. Suddenly, I was IN, and I was creating content. Yeah, most of the French musicals fandom didn’t give a flying fuck that I was creating content, with most of my support coming from my friends and Takarazuka fans, but I was CREATING CONTENT, for the first time since I joined fandom. I was finally starting to figure out my way in fandom, finally starting to get noticed. In 2018……..for reasons I won’t give out, at least publicly, there was a massive rift in the old French musicals fandom, a lot of bridges got burned, and, naturally, I was far enough from the fire. But this DID give me a shot at carving out my own 1789 experience, for once, without them hanging over my shoulder. I do think that the reason why the 1789 fandom’s as strong as it is now is because of that rift, because it left a sort of power vacuum. Suddenly, there was a space for other French musicals, and we didn’t have to worry about the constant comparison to MOR. BUT. Keep in mind. 2-3 years ago, the overwhelming consensus on Ronan was pure, unadulterated hatred. There were a few Ronan content creators in an already small pool, but the general consensus was that Lazare was better in every way and Ronan was a terrible protagonist.  (I know fully well that some old members of the French musicals fandom, to this day, won’t engage with Ronan content. At all. And I can say this as openly as I do because I KNOW they don’t follow me.) As a Peyronan shipper, I was in an awkward place, especially as time went on and I realized that I actually did like the little shit. One half of my OTP was absolutely beloved, one half was hated, and, while there was definitely some content on the Tumblr side of things (I definitely did NOT single-handedly invent the ship out of thin air, I don’t take credit for it, and I’m grateful to everyone who kind of. Took me in), the fan fiction side of things still tended to lean Ronan/Olympe. If, today, it seems like the fandom consensus is Ronan/Lazare, that’s because I fought tooth and nail to get my own place in the fandom. 

I…suppose you could say that I justified my place in the fandom by tossing Ronan/Olympe under the bus. It was easier, that way. It meant that I could forge alliances with anyone who wanted Solène/Olympe instead, though I was still on dangerous ground since I still wanted precious Lazare with Ronan, and, of course, the show would be better without Ronan. (You’ll note that the VERY FIRST fic I ever published on AO3 was Solène/Olympe. Why? Because I knew it would be a safe option to test the waters. That. And I really did just write it the night before my GRE.) But, at least I wasn’t a Ronan/Olympe shipper, right? I was safely gay. (Biphobia, thy name is fandom.) When I talked about Ronan, I talked about him as gay, I talked shit about Ronan/Olympe whenever I had the chance. All properly tagged, of course, in the proper channels. I’ve never been the sort to actively hurt someone who DID ship it, I just took pains to not associate myself with the Icky Het Ship. When I talked about Ronan, I talked about him as GAY, VERY GAY, not a hint of bisexuality to him. Because if he was bi, that might mean that Ronan/Olympe had a leg to stand on, you see? You’ll note that, to this day, I almost never acknowledge Ronan/Olympe as a thing that HAPPENED in any given fic continuities, because it was so much easier if he simply fell into Lazare’s arms instead. Wiping that little spot clean. And. Well. Here I am. About 5 years after I first got into 1789. And, looking back, I wonder if it was REALLY that bad, or if I just nodded my head because it was easy at the time, since it’s only been in the last year that I really, really began to develop my own spine. (Honestly, props to Marie Antoinette the Musical and, specifically, Morléans as a ship for that one.) For the most part, I’m proud of how far the fandom’s come in the last five years, and I’m proud of the work that I, individually, have done to help get it there, whether it was streams, gifs, or fanfics. But sometimes, I do worry that anyone coming in who ships Ronan/Olympe, like I used to…might feel out of place, and I never want to treat them like I was treated back in the day. 

Do I ship it? Not really. That ship’s sailed for me (I didn’t mean to make that a pun but here we are). I’m fairly firmly Lazare/Ronan and Solène/Olympe (though I’m not as firmly pro-the latter as the former, simply because I REALLY don’t have as much material to go off of there.) Not just because of the old pressure, but just because…looking at it in, say, the French cast…there’s really no chemistry there. At all. The Takarazuka Olympe looks mildly terrified to be in Ronan’s presence at any given moment. I DO actually kind of like it in the Toho production, especially with Teppei Koike and Sayaka Kanda, since the two of them fit together SO naturally and their voices are like two pieces of the same puzzle, but I’m not sure it’s something I’d particularly want to create content for. In fact, when I tried to write Ronan/Lazare/Olympe as an OT3, my HARDEST dynamic to write and justify was Ronan/Olympe. I do think that “La Guerre Pour se Plaire” is a stunning song, musically, it’s probably one of my favorite French musical songs. I do kind of tend to see Ronan as gay, simply because Takarazuka Ronan in particular is………..forceful, to the point that I can see him forcing himself to believe he’s in love with Olympe in order to distract himself from Lazare. I feel like the French cast, while arguably realistic in it showing Ronan/Olympe’s relationship having problems, also shows a couple that, really, beyond the physical attraction, couldn’t have made it work had both of them survived. And I feel like fandom, back in the day, was far too willing to take Olympe’s side over Ronan’s in that dispute, ignoring how Olympe’s own relationship to her side of the conflict is…kind of toxic to her. And while Ronan went about it in an ass-backward way (“I will kill your friends and family! To remind you of my love!”)……..he did make some Points. And Toho Ronan/Olympe, particularly Teppei/Sayaka, are more two kids in love who just want to give it a shot. (Kato Kazuki/Nene Yumesaki were more….forceful, manly hero/prim and proper governess with a spine of steel. Which is OKAY, but not really personally as interesting to me.) I do give the Toho credit for really, really making me see that, okay, it might not be for me, but it CAN work on stage. Mostly. (I still hate that forced kiss.) 

 I will say that there are times where I find myself writing Lazare rather similarly to Olympe in terms of him going through the same feelings of guilt, shame, and duty, and I’m just like “....hm. What have I really changed? Did I just substitute Lazare’s face for Olympe because it was easier? Or copied the existing dynamic and pasted a dude’s face over Olympe’s?” (I do think that there are definitely DIFFERENCES to Olympe VS Lazare, it’s just...eerie in those individual moments.) I do think, at the end of the day, the story of forbidden love during the French Revolution....we’ve HAD it before, in the La Revolution Française musical, and in my opinion it does work best as a queer narrative. And, unfortunately, Ronan/Olympe just...isn’t developed particularly well enough on stage to justify it as an EPIC ROMANCE. 

Overall, I think that I’m fairly settled in my ways at this point, but I also don’t hate it to the extent that I once did. It’ll never be my favorite, I can’t really see them getting married and having kids, and, frankly, the relationship just isn’t as interesting to me as the alternatives since we’ve SEEN it played out on screen, and I can’t really see myself making content for it or really engaging with it in any meaningful way outside of reblogging gifsets/reading fics, but like. I don’t HATE it anymore. I’m neutral to its existence. And, when it comes down to it, I have read fic/engaged in content for it, because, at this point, it’s STILL part of my favorite musical. If I could have done things differently….maybe I would have stayed with it more, for longer. Maybe I’d have written that happy country babyfic (you know. In 18th century France. Where raising babies in the country was so painless). Maybe I’d have gone over to Peyronan earlier and not looked back. Maybe I would have written Ronan more consciously as a bisexual man instead of a gay man. Who knows? Maybe I’m just a tired bitch these days and so am hyper-dissecting everything. But I definitely never want anyone coming into the fandom to think there isn’t a place for them just because they ship Ronan/Olympe. 

[softjeon]

Devil’s Hand | Final

• Pairing: King!Namjoon x Jungkook • Side-Pairings:  Namjoon x Jimin | Namjoon x Yoongi | Prince!Hoseok x Jungkook • Genre: Angst / Smut | Royal!AU ( → Gifset Trailer) • Words: 9,8k | Co-Writer: Cat @cassiavioletblue • Disclaimer: alcohol, abusive relationsships, abusive behavior, (sexual) violence, major character death

↳ There had been rumors, but in the end it was not really a secret that Namjoon loved delicate and beautiful things. Especially when it came down to his lovers and his castle. It was decorated with lot of flowing, long blue curtains, colorful paintings in every room, rows of marble columns leading along every aisle. There was a large garden surrounding the palace, which was by far Jungkook’s favorite place to be – next to the king’s bedroom.

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A/N: Just a reminder to be aware of the disclaimers for this chapter! Thank you!

When Jungkook finally looked up, the sun was already setting low on the horizon, illumining the clouds with rosy tints. He sighed deeply and rose from ground when there was someone behind him. “The king is asking for you!” The maids stern tone made Jungkook jerk around, wiping over his eyes quickly to get rid of the tears. He didn’t need more evidence of his own softness. So, Jungkook nodded, telling the maid that he would come as soon as possible. Smiling faintly at Taehyung, he hugged him once more, thanking him before he made his way up the stone staircase to the king’s chamber. He was panting when he finally made it. So, Jungkook tried to take a few deep breaths and then knocked on the king’s door, letting himself in right after.

“I apologize,” He said quietly, averting his gaze down to his feet. Jungkook stretched out his hands for Namjoon to see, “I...I burned myself pretty painfully. I asked for the maid to bring you the tea...so, so I could take care of it a little.” Jungkook bit his lip, scared that Namjoon wouldn’t believe him again, thinking that he used it as a way to get away from him or meet up with Hoseok again.

Namjoon gripped his wrists and pulled him closer, making him stumble forward. He examined his palm and then sighed deeply. “You idiot. Can’t you take care of yourself? What should I do if you injure yourself, hm? Take someone else? You know it doesn’t work like that. I need you and only you. So, try not to do it again. Go to my personal doctor after this. Have him take a look. I want you healed as quickly as possible. And if I ever feel like you do this to get more rest then I’ll make sure you won’t even remember what rest feels like, understood,” He waved Jungkook closer. “Now come here.”

“Of course, my king. It won’t happen, again.” He spoke fast, his eyes still a bit teary but Namjoon probably waved it off that it was from the pain. The young servant nodded quickly and only hesitantly moved closer to Namjoon when he ordered him to do so, not sure what the king needed from him now. Looking up at him, Jungkook blinked a few times. Being so close to him, he could feel Namjoon’s heartbeat, the warmth coming from him and all he wanted was to wrap his arms around his waist and feel safe again.

“Sit down.” He let Jungkook sit onto his thigh were the younger could sit comfortably while Namjoon could still look at him. “You know that after everything you’ve done you’re still important to me. Even though you betrayed my trust I still want to keep you close to me. You’re the one that knows me best. No one else can see me like you are allowed to. You know that’s something special, right? Letting you see me in private all the time?”

Jungkook held onto Namjoon, feeling nervous out of a sudden with the way the king was talking to him. “Y-yes,” He averted his gaze when the guilt washed over him again. And still he couldn’t stop his mind wandering towards Hoseok the moment Namjoon talked about it. He hadn’t seen the prince for a while now and he wondered if Hoseok was missing him? With horror, Jungkook realized that he was only half-heartedly listening, so he quickly returned his attention to the king. With shaking hands, Jungkook reached out for Namjoon pulling a string of hair aside and smiled. “I…I am yours, my king.”

“I know that you are. I would never allow for you to leave me.” He leaned in, kissing Jungkook right on his mouth in a surprisingly sweet, non bruising way. “Now get off and go to your quarters to rest a little. I’ll expect you to be here at lunch time again. Don’t let me search for you. Be nice. Maybe I’ll think about cutting you some slack next week. You’ve been good, Jungkook. If you weren’t so easily seduced by illoyalty you’d be the best.” He made Jungkook get up and reached for the tea. “And next time you can’t make my tea please make sure the person doing it for you knows what they are doing.”

Jungkook was feeling a mixture between relief and anxiety. He bowed slightly, promising Namjoon to teach the maid but in the end both of them knew that no one could make it the way the king wanted as Jungkook did.

The young man was sweating when he came out the chamber, rubbing along his neck with a tissue as he walked down the hallway. “I would never allow for you to leave,” Jungkook repeated those words in his mind like a haunting curse. He knew what he was about to do was the stupidest thing he had ever thought of. Namjoon would have his head for this, if he ever found out. So, Jungkook quickly went to the doctors first just like he had promised the king (he was sure Namjoon would ask if the young boy was there after all) and then made his way down to the visitors wing. If there was a slight chance for a better lifer, for love, for…everything that Jungkook had always desired with Namjoon and knew he couldn’t get, then he should take it. Taehyung had suggested it after all. And Taehyung was never wrong.

He always knew what was best for Jungkook.

“…he’s no use for us like that! I haven’t seen him in four days! I can’t even get close to him without at least three guards watching my every move! You were supposed to help me from the inside! But right now, you’re just as useless as him. Try to find out if there’s someone else who’s close to him. Not even he can be so secluded as to only let one person close. Ad even if the others need to know at least something. I’m sure you know how to be persuasive. So, use it. Come back when you know more!”  Hoseok sighted deeply, sinking down into the luxurious cushions. His whole plan was fucked. He had told the flower delivery boy to be unobtrusive and instead that total dumbass had managed to run into the king. The king of all people! And now he hadn’t seen Jungkook in four days and how on earth was he supposed to get the king’s secrets out of the younger if he couldn’t even meet up with him.

This was a disaster!

Jungkook stood frozen on the spot. He had hidden behind a veil so fast, right next to Hoseok’s room where he could listen to the last bits and pieces of what the prince had said and not be seen by the one he had been talking to when he came out. His hand pressed tightly onto his mouth to keep from breathing too loud, his eyes wide and mind not believing a single word he just eavesdropped on. Jungkook shook his head.

This couldn’t be.

This wasn’t right.

Hoseok couldn’t have meant him. It was an overall talk, this didn’t mean anything. The prince didn’t mean him. It was a simple mistake. Not everything was about him. Namjoon had told him that many times – to not overthink. Jungkook shook his head, raking a hand through his hair in a desperate manner and took a deep breath. Still, it took quite a while until Jungkook came out of his hiding spot. His heart was beating fast, palms sweaty when he knocked on the princes door. “It’s m-me,” His voice was shaky and Jungkook quickly cleared his throat and repeated himself.

Hoseok was at the door in a second.

“Jungkook!” Surprise and something else flickered over his face. Something like wariness. “How did you get here? I thought… I’ve been told the king wouldn’t let you out of sight since...” He stepped aside. “Come in, you better shouldn’t be seen with me.” He closed the door behind them, turning the key. “What happened Jungkook? I am so, so very sorry for what happened! The delivery boy was meant to give you the flowers with no one else noticing. I’m so sorry I got you into this mess. Are you alright?” He gently took the boys face in his hand, looking right at him.

Jungkook nodded, taking the prince’s wrists in his hands and pulling them away from his face a little. “I have to be back by lunch but…I needed to talk to you,” He spoke more confidently that he would have thought. Hoseok pulled him along and on the bed to sit and Jungkook was fumbling around with the hem of his shirt. It wasn’t about you. He likes you. He send you flowers. Jungkook’s mind was a rollercoaster of thoughts, Taehyung’s voice mingling in with his own doubts and fears. He didn’t know how to explain, so Jungkook simply began to roll up his sleeve to show a few of the bruises that clearly caused by someone and not an accident.

Hoseok’s face twisted in empathy. “Oh no, Jungkook, what… Did Namjoon do this? Because of...me? God, Jungkook, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for you to get hurt!“ He gently reached out of the youngers hands. “Is there a way I could help? Do you want me to send Jimin to his quarters? Maybe he can take the king’s mind off of you a little. Are you hurting somewhere else? Do you want me to call my Jimin in here? He knows a lot about herbs and medicine.”

Jungkook shook his head, “I mean…there’s more but I don’t need medicine. It’s okay. It’s just.” The tears came falling all on their own and Jungkook quickly tried to wipe them away, hiding his face a little more. He was taking a deep breath, before he spoke again, “You like me, right? When we kissed…that meant something…the flowers and…”

“Of course, I like you! I didn’t do this on purpose, really! This wasn’t meant to make Namjoon hurt you, I wanted to give you a little gift, something nice, something to make you smile. You have such a beautiful smile Jungkook.” Hoseok gently wiped the youngers tears away. “Please don’t cry. Namjoon has so many difficult decisions to make and so many things he has to take care of, doesn’t he? He’ll forget about us. Besides he can’t even know that we kissed. No one was there. It was just flowers. He can’t be mad at you for that forever.”

Jungkook smiled at that, his heart skipping a beat when he heard Hoseok said that he liked him. Everything that he had eavesdropped on wasn’t about him. It must have been about someone else. Hoseok cared about him. When the prince talked about Namjoon not knowing though, his heart stopped for a second. “I…I told him,” Jungkook reached out for Hoseok hands to hold onto him, searching for warmth and that he would understand his situation. “He was…threatening me,” The servant explained and finally told the Prince all about the abuse. The way Namjoon had hit him, made him suffer, not eat for days because he was busy working so much that there wasn't time for that and keep him close by his side for whatever he needed. He showed a few more bruises here and there, hoping that when Hoseok saw the damage, that he wanted to help him. “Please, my prince, I don’t know what to do,” Jungkook looked at the other with tear filled eyes, “I’d smile forever if I could be by your side. T-take me with you. I can’t…” Jungkook’s body was shaking from the effort, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t say the words that he couldn’t stand being with Namjoon anymore. Because although his heart longed to be with Hoseok, to be safe and feel content, one part of him would always belong to Namjoon. His first kiss. His first love.

“No, what… what are you talking about? You can’t just leave Namjoon like that. You’re his valet, the one who’s closest to him. What do you think he’d do if you wouldn’t come back to him? He would search here! And it would get us both in trouble. I can’t just let you stay here, Jungkook, as much as I wanted to.” Hoseok looked truly shocked. “Y-yes but you’re a prince, too. You have power, right? You could…do something? If you like me,” Jungkook stopped, his eyes flickering back and forth between Hoseok’s while the other was looking at him disbelieving. “You need to…I can’t stay, he will…he will,” The young man reached for the prince, “Please. Anything…let me go back with you.”

“Anything?” Hoseok licked his lips nervously. He would have prefered it if he’s had a little more time with Jungkook, maybe kissed him more or seduced him so that Jungkook was properly involved with  him. Though he had no idea if he would get another chance to pry and Jungkook was absolutely desperate so why not take the risk now? He could backtrack and say that it had been just a stupid idea if Jungkook would refuse him. And who knew, the younger might happily say yes after what Namjoon had put him through. Maybe all of this had worked out in his favour. “If I really take you into my court than I need to know that your loyalty is mine. So, it would be just fair if in exchange for protecting you you would give me the kings secrets. Tell me what it is he needs for his empire to work, tell me with whom he’s doing business and what kind of goods are exchanged for what price. What his plans are especially regarding my kingdom. Do you agree to this?”

Jungkook gulped heavily, when he heard what Hoseok asked of him. Suddenly, he was afraid. Shaking his head, he refused right away. “I can’t. I don’t know much about that anyways, my prince. And I can’t as much as I wouldn’t tell anyone on you…I just,” Jungkook was stumbling over his words, not sure what he was supposed to say and if this was a test or not. “Take me with you, please,” Jungkook raked through his hair, begging and pleading for Hoseok to just take him somewhere else.

“You’re right maybe this was too much of you to ask. Maybe you want to think about it though? Namjoon hurt you - and it’s not like you would belong to his court any longer if you are with me. Wouldn’t you want to get a little bit of revenge on him? Besides it wouldn’t really hurt him would it? It’s just business, simple business secrets to help with trading. Don’t you think it would be nice to help me in return if I help you? Just think about it okay?” He tried an encouraging smile, patting Jungkook’s arm.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. Jungkook was panting, his mind and heart fighting a war at the moment. Hoseok was blackmailing him. He didn’t want to help him because he liked him, but because he had information. Closing his eyes, Jungkook bit his lip so hard that he was afraid for a moment that he could draw blood, but instead he spoke in a shaking voice. “It’s true…what I heard? I am not of use for you, if I don’t…don’t give you information.” He opened his eyes and looked at Hoseok, his heart falling into a million pieces right now while tears burned behind his eyes. “You don’t want me, do you?”

“What… you heard us? What did you...,” Hoseok held him tightly on his upper arms, keeping the younger in place. He saw the recognition in Jungkook’s eyes and he realized that he had lost. “Damn, I’ve been doing so well and then everything goes to hell because I didn’t close the door!” He laughed. “It’s so stupid, how a little mistake like that can ruin everything. Everything else went so smoothly, I met you and you were shy and timid and starving for affection… Namjoon really keeps you at arm’s length does he? I wonder... would you have given me what I wanted if you hadn’t heard me talking? And... why did you still come in if you knew what I was planning? Where you trying to make sure? Did you want to get a confession out of me?” His grip tightened even though Jungkook whimpered unter it. Hoseok's fingers were digging into his bruises mercilessly.

“Don’t think Namjoon would believe you. If you tell him anything it will be your word against mine. And he doesn’t trust you right now, does he? Besides he wouldn't want to ruin his changes of trading with my kingdom just because some little servant couldn’t distinguish between fantasy and reality. You have nothing against me, Jungkook. Absolutely nothing.”

Jungkook’s whole body was shivering, but there was nothing else but emptiness inside of him. The tears fell silently, as he had listened to everything Hoseok had said. He was nothing. Just a figure in the game these kings were playing. He meant nothing to anyone and even Taehyung would be better off without him. So much Jungkook knew. The sob that broke through him was quiet, but it shook him to the core. Hoseok’s hold had hurt, but it only reminded him of his mistakes, of his failure and about his stupid belief that there would be more out there for him. Someone that could truly love him. Jungkook shook his head as if he was in trance. No one would believe him. He was a servant. His words meant nothing. It hurt. It hurt so goddamn much as if a knife was stabbing him repeatedly in the heart and Jungkook wanted nothing else but push his hands onto his ears and make Hoseok stop talking. He writhed himself out of Hoseok’s hold, his eyes empty, stumbling backwards. The prince had been everything Jungkook was hoping for. He had been golden to him. Full of warmth and care for him. But now, the one who was staring back at him, wasn’t the prince he had fallen for. How could Jungkook be so blind? So dumb? So easy to manipulate?

Running out of the chamber, Jungkook could barely see where he was going. Tears were clouding his view. He stumbled a few times, bruising his knees in the process but he didn’t care. Because Namjoon had been right about it all. Jungkook was pathetic. He didn’t deserve anything. Not even the king.

Hoseok cursed when Jungkook broke free from his grip and ran out onto the hallways. He couldn’t just chase after him or someone would notice. And then he had a problem. An even bigger one that he already had. He had lied. Of course Namjoon would believe his valet, the one person he had grown up with. And even if there were just rumours and Namjoon couldn’t directly act on it it would make the negotiations even more difficult. His father would be furious if he didn’t manage to make Namjoon agree to their receivables. This was his baptism of fire! His father had let on that if these negotiations went well he would get more responsibility, more official duties - in short he’d get even closer to becoming king. And maybe he’d even get the crown by the end of the year. But for all of this to happen it was crucial that this worked out for him. And he wouldn’t let some little servant ruin his chances of being king. If Jungkook had agreed on keeping his mouth shut they could have worked something out but the way he had fled, completely distraught anything was possibly. Maybe he told the very first person he met.

So, he needed to make sure that Jungkook wouldn’t talk.

Ever.

Jungkook was utterly confused, running along the hallways as if he was lost. He knew every corner, every step and way in this castle but right now, nothing seemed like how it was supposed to be. The tears were clouding his view, the sobs making him choke on the lack of air. He wasn’t sure for how long he was stumbling across the hallway, so Jungkook sat down on the cold stone stairs, trying to catch his breath and try to understand what just happened. His heart was aching and every breath hurt - but Jungkook knew he had to talk to Namjoon even though it meant telling him that he saw the prince again. It could ruin Namjoon if Hoseok knew too much, if the prince was planning to take away his power.

Jungkook stood up a bit too hasty, so he swayed a little. Just as he was about to walk ahead, Jimin turned around the corner and Jungkook stood frozen on the spot, watching the other’s expression turn from obviously stressed to a smile. Jungkook turned to look over his shoulder for a second, but there was no one else the dancer could mean.

“Hey. There you are. I saw you running down the corridors but you were so fast that I lost you for a second…,” He broke off when he saw the younger’s tears. “Are you okay?” He took in how distressed Jungkook looked, how he swayed from exhaustion, from stressing himself out, running too much, crying too desperately. The streaks down his cheeks showed pretty obviously that this wasn’t the kind of crying were a a few silent tears were enough to cleanse the heart of it’s pain, Jungkook had been crying his heart out. And from the hiccuping breaths his body was still trying to catch up with him. Jimin gave him a sad smile, one that said ‘I’m sorry you have to go through this. I understand.’ instead he asked him, “Do you want to talk about it? Or you could just catch your breath at my place. I have tea and it’s warm. And you can tell me what you want to say. Or just stay silent for as long as you need until you feel better.”

Jungkook just looked at the other in confusion, then he silently shook his head. Why did Jimin care about him out of a sudden? Offering him a safe place to talk about whatever was going on in his mind. “It’s alright,” He answered and showed off a faint smile. “I...I have work to do...gotta be back by lunch. Namjoon’s already waiting.” Jungkook kept his head low, his voice quiet when he mumbled another apology. He didn’t want to talk about why he was hurting. Maybe if he just pretend that it didn’t happen at all, then he could forget.

“It’s not lunch time yet. And… I’m sorry, Jungkook I don’t want to offend you or be impolite but... are you sure you want to go see the king like this?” He let his gaze wander over Jungkook’s tear streaked face. “You could use the bathroom if you want. While I make us tea. How does that sound?” Jimin smiled at him, nodding his head into the direction of where his room was. “Come one, Jungkook. Don’t be shy. I won’t bite, I promise.”

The servant hadn’t much to say against what Jimin had said. He was right. When he looked at his reflection in one of the mirrors in Jimin’s bathroom, he knew he couldn’t face the king like that. It would only make it worse. Make him seem even weaker than he already was.

Jungkook washed his face thoroughly, trying to get make his eyes seem less red and puffy. But everytime he thought he was okay now, he felt his bottom lip tremble again. So it took him some time until he finally walked back into the guest room that Jimin called his own for his stay. “T-thank you,” He smiled, when he saw the dancer pour in some of the hot beverage into a cup for him.

“Don’t mention it. We have to stick together, the ones who can’t drown their sorrow in wealth and power. We only have tea.” He held up his cup, “But it’s something.” Behind the dancer there were a few herbs and flowers hung up to dry, small posies and single leaves where it wasn’t obvious if they had been hung up for decoration or herbal purpose. He blew on his tea gently to cool it and looked at Jungkook over the rim of his teacup. “So... do you want to talk about what happened - or just sit in silence and drink tea? Both of it would be fine. I just want you to… to calm down. Relax a little. Collect your thoughts. I’m sure everything is going to be fine, Jungkook. “

The young servant chuckled low, his fingertips nervously tapping against the warm cup. “It won’t be fine. I ruined it all…but it’s all right,” Jungkook said quickly, hoping that Jimin wouldn’t start giving him more advice. He didn’t want to hear it. It was his fault for trying to live his own life, for wanting something that he knew, he could never have. No one ever loved him. Maybe his mother, but that’s it. Namjoon needed him, maybe. And yes, he was close and important to him and Jungkook had mistaken it for love so many times. He was nothing but a play toy. And one day, he would die as such. He sighed deeply, looking out of the window in deep thought. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t notice the way Jimin looked at him; attentive, searching, as if he wanted to see right through the surface and into Jungkook’s heart. “If you could change one thing about your life - anything really - what would it be?” Jimin suddenly asked, lowering his voice a little as if what he was saying was something heretical and forbidden.

Jungkook raised an eyebrow at Jimin’s question and shrugged his shoulders. “Was it ever my life?” He spoke quietly, “I never had much of a choice. I was born to be a servant and I will die as such.” The young man sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. His expression turned into a smile. A sad smile. One that spoke more than a thousand words. “I’d change the way my heart aches for love. It never brought me anything good. It’s my sweetest desire and at the same time it’s my curse.” Jungkook looked at Jimin with tear-filled eyes, “I wish my heart wouldn’t want something I can’t have.”

Jimin nodded, fingers tightening around the cup. “I know what you mean. People say that longing for something pushes you forward, makes you thrive for more. Though honestly, I think it rather drags you down. To see your dreams close but never close enough. You think you might make it - and then reality pushes you back. It’s cruel. Sometimes I think life would be better without hope and without dreams… but we can’t help ourselves, can we? You can’t force yourself to stop dreaming. And maybe… maybe the king will love you back one day. See you for what you are. He will regret so much when he realizes how important you are to him.” Jimin was still talking though his eyes were blank as if he wasn’t really there, lost in his own thoughts, “We only really know what someone means to us when we lose them… another cruel joke of life. Only when there is no chance to get back what you had can you see how lucky you were before.”

Jimin’s words pained him, so Jungkook just nodded, taking a sip from his cup of tea. He eyed the dancer from the side, wondering what he had meant with his last words and if Namjoon would really miss him if he was gone? But he wouldn’t be. He would never be able to leave the king, his only attempt had failed and it had ripped him into pieces. His whole body was aching and Jungkook felt awful. If Namjoon ever found out that he had tried to get away from him again, it would be over for him. Jungkook coughed, his cheeks heating up at the horrible thought of what could await him. He could feel the sweat at the nape of his neck, the fear creeping up his bones as a shiver ran down his spine. When Jimin noticed that Jungkook had emptied his cup he finished his own tea in one go, wiping his mouth. “Don’t mind me. You’ll be fine. You’ll see there’s nothing you have to worry about. It’ll turn out okay.” He smiled at him encouragingly although there was a sadness hiding behind that kind of ruined it. Again Jimin had fixed his eyes on Jungkook, not uncomfortable but gentle and empathetic. As if he didn’t want to leave the younger unguarded for even a second and it made the younger uncomfortable, feeling as if he was gazing into Jungkook’s soul. He jumped up from his seat, swaying a little as he blinked his eyes repeatedly to get rid of the dizziness. With a faint smile, he thanked Jimin for his kindness again, walking out of his room moments after. He didn’t want to go back up to his room and since he didn’t need to be back with Namjoon soon, Jungkook made his way outside and into the garden.

The garden was still one of his favorite places after all.

Jimin looked after him, knowing that this would very certainly be the last time he had seen Jungkook alive. It was a lucky coincidence that Jungkook hadn’t run straight to Namjoon and that Jimin had been in his chamber or else this wouldn’t have worked. But as soon as Jungkook had left Hoseok’s rooms the prince had sent a messenger to Jimin with a very short, very urgent message.

“Jungkook knows. Make sure he can’t talk. Ever.”

So, he did what he had to. Even though he had kind of liked the younger. Despite everything he had been through he still seemed hopeful. Soft. As if he managed to preserve a little piece of his innocence. And now he would die like this, hopeless and alone, somewhere in the halls of the castle. He hoped Jungkook would be too exhausted to fight. If he didn’t hold on to life choking wasn’t even that bad. And he wouldn’t feel any pain. Not really. He would get dizzy and then collapse and before he would really know it he would lose consciousness. Hastily Jimin closed the door and got rid of the herbs he had used. He didn’t think that any of Namjoon’s people would know the herbs of Hoseok’s kingdom, let alone which of them were poisonous and what the symptoms would look like but he was better safe than sorry. He didn’t want to risk losing his head here. Not even for Hoseok.

And he would do anything for Hoseok.

Anything for his love.

Jungkook leaned his head back, letting the cool wind soothe over his skin making it feel like it could take away his worries for a moment. He let his feet take him, not really caring about where he was going as he strolled through the garden deep in his thoughts. When Jungkook gazed up, he could see the stables from a far and a faint smile appeared on his lips. His unconsciousness brought him back to Taehyung. Maybe his friend knew what to do now? Though he had been the one sending him to Hoseok, Taehyung never had done it if he knew. Tae was the only one who had never hurt Jungkook.

Stumbling along, Jungkook felt the dizziness creep back into his body, making him blink his eyes a couple of times to shake it off. He groaned painfully, when he felt something burning and itching down his throat. Coughing violently Jungkook held onto the wooden wall of one of the stables, that's how hard the coughs shook him. For a second he thought that he caught a cold, but then he saw the blood. It wasn’t much, but there were droplets of red on his palm. His heartbeat quickened right away, his eyes widened in shock as he wiped over his mouth to see if it came from him. A shuddering breath took hold of him, wracking his body. A spasm shook his torso and more blood oozed out of his mouth.

“J-jimin,” He whispered to himself, stumbling forward when the tears fell onto his cheeks. He laughed once, cold and harsh. A cruel joke of life. Jimin’s words repeating itself in his mind, as he let himself fall into the haystack, sinking down and curling in on himself. It had been so easy for Jimin to poison him. His whole being longing for someone to understand, to emphasize, to hear him. It made him weak. Easy to lure in. And now he would die. Turn into what he had been all along. Nothing. Jungkook was shivering, every cough shaking his body while he tried to take deep breaths. He had managed to get away from the door a little more. No one would see him now. It was pathetic. Even the way he would die was pathetic. A painful cry escaped his lungs and Jungkook wished for nothing more to feel safe again.

Taehyung had just finished preparing one of the horses for one of his knights and came back to the stables to clean up after himself when he heard it, a sound, painful and miserable. “Hello? Is anyone there?” There was no real answer but he could still hear something. It sounded uncomfortably close to someone fighting for breath, like troubled gasps and fruitless gulps of air. “H…hello?” When he rounded the corner he something lying in a stack of hay. He rushed over - and then froze before he could touch the figure. Because he knew him.

“J...Jungkook?” The shock loosened his limbs and he scrambled to get towards him. “Are…are you okay? Can I help? What happened?” Jungkook coughed again and there was blood sprinkling the hay. Jungkook's eyes swam in tears and he looked so hopeless, so pained that Taehyung made a bold decision. Whatever this was it was serious. So he would not waste time to find out what it was while Jungkook was suffering. He kneeled down to pick Jungkook up so he could carry him and then ran off as fast as he could to see the king. At first Jungkook had tried to keep Taehyung from lifting him up, but he had been too weak, his words slurred as the other carried him easily. “’s prince, he’s…bad,” Jungkook mumbled, holding onto Taehyung as tight as he could, “J’min…I thought he was nice.” A painful cry escaped him and Tae quickened his steps.

…

“The wedding is in a few days and the queen arrives tomorrow and you still haven’t seen the priest or ordered your shared chamber to be prepared?” Yoongi sighed and threw his hands up. “I am not the one getting married, my king. Where is your mind?” Shaking his head, he walked over to Namjoon, lowering his voice, “I know it is a lot, but it’s going to be over soon. Then it’s almost as if you have your old life back. So, please. No more distractions.”

Sometimes Namjoon would have loved to just get up and leave. He didn’t want to see a priest nor to share a chamber with anyone but the partner he willingly chose. His arranged marriage felt choking already and it hadn’t even started. Still he knew Yoongi had a point but he was sulky, a last bit of childish stubbornness left in him. “Well I am busy with other important matters - but if you start getting nervous then how about you arrange everything. I don’t need to be present for every little detail and I trust you to make good choices.” And even if Yoongi didn’t it wasn’t as if he cared. God he couldn’t wait to get into bed tonight after this stupidly long day, call for Jungkook and then bask in the other’s warmth and softness until he had drowned everything else out with kisses.

Yoongi sighed, raking a hand through his hair in a desperate manner. He nodded at Namjoon’s order and turned on his heel. “Then don’t whine if it’s not like how you wanted it to be when I am choosing everything,” He teased the king one last time, but before he could reach for the door handle it busted open. Yoongi was just about to scold whoever was barging in like that into the king’s chamber when he froze completely.

With shaking knees and tears in his eyes, Taehyung sunk down onto his knees in front of Namjoon, holding onto Jungkook tightly. “K-king, I…I found him,” A sob broke out of him, helplessly trying to soothe the younger while explaining, “Sh..it’s going to be…the King will…” The servant whimpered, when another cough shook him hard and his blood covered hands tightened around Tae’s neck, trying to keep close to his body heat. He just felt so cold.

“Taehyung what the…,” The reprimanding words died on his tongue when he saw the state Jungkook was in. Taehyung wasn’t rebellious. He would never break the rules if there wasn’t a very good reason for this. Jungkook’s wheezing and coughing told him right away that it was serious. And then he saw the blood.

“Get the doctor. Now!” He sent Yoongi away with a look that told him he’d better hurry if he didn’t want to be on his bad side. He got up and over to Taehyung giving a damn about keeping his distance. There were way more pressing matters at hand. “Did he eat something he shouldn’t? Drink the rusty water from the rain gutter behind the pavillon?” He refused to see this as serious as it was as long as there was still hope left. Taehyung shook his head violently, “N-no. He said something…I didn’t get it, really. I don’t think it’s just that. Please.” He was pleading, hoping that Namjoon could help them. Make it all alright again.

When Jungkook heard the familiar voice, he snapped his eyes open looking at Namjoon. Silent tears fell down his cheeks, when he realized that it was fault, and his own fault alone. He had been dumb enough to think that he could be more than just a servant and now life was paying him back. Reaching out for the king, Jungkook tried to put on a smile, before another spasm shook him and he fell out of Taehyung’s grip, holding onto Namjoon’s shirt tightly.

Namjoon didn’t care about what was appropriate, that he was kneeling on the floor besides the stable boy or that Jungkook was getting blood all over his blouse with his coughs. He stroked back Jungkook’s hair which was matted with sweat. His eyes looked glassy. Namjoon swallowed harshly when he realized that it didn’t look good. There was a cold hand reaching for his heart and it caught him completely unprepared. Jungkook was his, he had always been. Never in a million years had he thought that he could lose him.

“’m sorry,” Jungkook mumbled, pulling himself closer to Namjoon. He felt a lot warmer, his body being warmed up from the fireplace inside his chamber. “’s my f-fault,” He choked on the words a little, letting Namjoon’s arms wrap around him to hold him tight to him. “shouldn’t trust,” Jungkook’s voice was barely audible as he spoke with his eyes closed, hoping that the pain would be gone soon. He cried out, coughing up more blood until his body shook with how cold he felt.

“Hey.. hey!” Jungkook’s voice got more and more breathy and he could hardly understand anything that the younger told him. “Don’t fall asleep! What did you swallow? You have to tell me so that I can tell the doctor. He will have an antidote and then you can rest. I’ll.. I will take you off duty for the rest of the week for you to regain your strength. And I will send you over to Jin so that he can teach you about herbalism.” His voice wavered but he refused to let it break. Jungkook was awfully pale and his lips were turning blue. This couldn't be. He wouldn’t allow this! He was the king goddamnit! What worth did his power hold if he couldn’t protect the one he…

… the one he loved?

A faint smile was visible on his lips and Jungkook shook his head, “Tea. S…some tea with J’min…I.” He coughed again, but even those were sounding weaker now. As if his body wasn’t even trying to fight anymore. It just hurt too much. Reaching up for Namjoon’s face, he traced over the king’s cheek. A tear fell down his own and Jungkook took in a sharp breath. “Don’t b’ scared. I’ll be…m’okay. I…I…mak’ your ba-bath later. J’st not now,” He closed his eyes tiredly for a moment, opening them again took a lot more strength than he remembered. But he did it anyways. He wanted to remember Namjoon’s beautiful face. Wanted it to be the last thing he would see. There were tears dripping down onto Jungkook’s face and Namjoon angrily wiped them away until he realized that they were his own. He was crying. Crying for his servant. Who was dying in his arms.

“Where.. where the fuck is that doctor?!” He screamed but absolutely nothing changed. When he looked down at Jungkook’s face again the younger had closed his eyes and it was like a stab right in the heart. He felt scared, so utterly, terribly scared of losing Jungkook. He shook the younger, desperately and way too rough but it made Jungkook open his eyes again. He wasn’t coughing anymore. In fact his breath had died down to something fleeting, barely there and Jungkook’s body laid so motionless in his arms that he felt already dead. “Don’t… please! You can’t leave me! You are mine! You hear me? You are…you are… Jungkook, please, please don’t go!” There was a smile on the younger’s face as if he wasn’t hurting any more. As if being in Namjoon’s arms was all he wanted.

“I’m yours,” Jungkook whispered weakly, “Always loved you.” The younger one tried to soothe Namjoon, reach for his cheeks and shushing him quietly. Namjoon’s comfort was way more important to him than his own. It always had been. He hissed painfully, when his breathing got more shallow, more constricted. With wide eyes and shivering hands, Jungkook was realizing that he hadn’t got much time left. Even if the doctor would arrive soon. There was nothing they could do. Hoseok had wanted him to be dead. To take his knowledge of his plans to die with him. But Jungkook didn’t want to give in to that, so he reached for Namjoon’s neck, pulling the king down to him. “P-please…shhh, it’s okay, Namjoonie,” The cute name slipped from his lips so easily, one that he hadn’t used in ages but only when they were younger. “…please.”

Hearing Jungkook tell him that he loved him even after everything that happened, even though he was dying and probably dying because of him being king broke Namjoon completely. He couldn’t stop the tears anymore nor the sobs but he tried to push both of them down, if only for long enough to kiss his servant, his confidant, his love. “I’m sorry. I’m so... so very sorry… for everything I did to you… for punishing you for my own emotions… for taking you for granted… for ... for hurting you… I’m so sorry Jungkook. So sorry.” He placed little kisses on the younger’s face, fleeting, like butterfly wings caressing his skin. He leaned down, so close that only Jungkook could hear him before whispering, “You’re going to be the only one who ever owns my heart. You were… the only one I ever really trusted. Even if I didn’t act like it I love you just... just as much. And I always will, no matter what.”

For a moment, Jungkook thought he was already in heaven. The words too good to be true, but when he saw Namjoon’s expression, he knew he was speaking honestly and from his heart. The king’s eyes were full of tears and Jungkook ached with the thought that he couldn’t soothe him, that he could never be there for him again. “I...love ‘u,” The young boy mumbled, pulling Namjoon in for a kiss. One that left him gasping for air, but he didn’t care. He would waste his last breath for him.

Jungkook’s lips tasted like blood and his kiss like death. Nonetheless Namjoon kissed him with all he had. It was like time had been slowed down after that. It was pulling on his mind, stretching and straining like rubber.

“Hoseok,” Jungkook whispered with the last bit of his strength, holding onto Namjoon tightly to keep upright. His knuckles turned white from how tight his grip was. “B’ aware of him. It…it was…he needed,” Taking in a shaky small breath, Jungkook’s voice wavered and he wasn’t even sure if Namjoon could understood a single word he was saying. “…me to be quiet,” He let go of Namjoon’s shirt, falling back into his embrace. Fighting the pull that was trying to lure him into the darkness, Jungkook’s eyelids fluttered as he forced to keep his eyes open. “I…don’t want to…be alone,” Jungkook shook with the sob that broke through him. He was scared, so so scared of dying and being without the one he loved. The one who always kept him warm. “’m so..c-cold.”

Jungkook told him something but he only really got Hoseok’s name out of it. Although he didn’t want to think about anything further than those seconds. The last seconds that Jungkook was still alive. Namjoon could almost watch the last bit of life drain from him, how the air fled his lungs. Jungkook sobbed, one last, final time. He mumbled something, about being cold, so Namjoon held him closer, tried to keep him warm. He didn’t realize that Jungkook couldn’t feel it anymore. In a last desperate attempt he held onto the younger’s body as tightly as he could. Something whispered to him, sweetly, something that felt like hope and that told him that as long as Jungkook’s body wouldn’t get cold the younger wouldn’t be lost. He couldn’t… he couldn’t have died! But no matter how close he held him or how gently he rocked him Jungkook didn’t move again.

He was dead.

Taehyung had watched the scene in front of him like a puppet. It all happened so fast and at the same time everything moved in slow motion. He wasn’t sure how that was possible, but he didn’t even jerk when the door busted open again and the doctor finally came but Jungkook didn’t move anymore. His hand hanging loosely from his side, his eyes closed while Namjoon was rocking him back and forth. Never before had Taehyung seen tears in the king’s eyes. The king didn’t let go off him, even when the doctor asked to try and attempt to reanimate him – but it would be no use either, Tae realized that now. The words had made no sense to him before but now.

“They poisoned him,” He breathed out, reaching out for Jungkook with shaking hands to caress over his hair one last time, “Jimin. Jungkook said something…Hoseok is bad, that’s what he said and Jimin must be the last person he saw, because he mumbled something about a tea.” Looking back and forth between Namjoon and Yoongi, Taehyung was frantically searching for one of them to get what he was trying to say. His gaze fell back onto Jungkook’s lifeless body and a tremble went through his own. They had played with him and Jungkook, poor, naïve, sweet Jungkookie had thought he would find love or something alike. All that the younger had wanted had been those words that Namjoon only had dared to say when he was dying in his arms. Pressing his hand onto his mouth, Taehyung’s body shook with his cries. “He didn’t,” He choked on his words, “He didn’t deserve this.”

It took a lot of (absolutely inappropriate) manhandling and persuasion from Yoongi’s side before Namjoon finally let go of Jungkook’s body. He knew that Yoongi had always frowned upon his close relationship with the younger but there was nothing that showed it now. He was respectful, gentle almost when he picked the lifeless body up. “God, he barely weights anything…,” The words were whispered to himself and Yoongi paled when he realised that he had said them out loud but neither Namjoon nor Taehyung were in a state of mind where they could register anything besides their loss and hurt. Jungkook looked relaxed, like he was sleeping, nothing but the specks of blood telling that he had slowly died from asphyxiation. When he tried to get up Namjoon’s hand closed around his wrist so quickly that Yoongi startled. “Don’t take him away. Please don’t take him away from me.” It hit him hard to see the king like that; so vulnerable and broken. He had seen anger on the king's face, disgust or hate, boredom, amusement and numerous other emotions - but he had never seen him like that.

Heartbroken - that’s what he looked like.

Yoongi bit his lip heart to keep his eyes from tearing up. He had still seen Jungkook grew up, had seen him try to get Namjoon’s attention over and over again, only to fail. He had tried so many times to tell Jungkook that the king was playing games and that was just how he was, but in the end – Yoongi had been wrong.

There was always more between them.

“He will stay close to you forever, my king,” Yoongi’s voice broke a little, “L-let me clean him up and we will bury him with the most beautiful flowers. Please, my king.”

Taehyung shivered at the thought of burying his friend, feeling completely out of place. The anger inside of him was raging. He wanted revenge for whatever the prince had done to Jungkook.

Finally, Yoongi could take Jungkook away. He draped his silken coat over the youngers body to shield him from people’s eyes but he couldn’t bring himself to cover up the younger’s face. It would have looked too much like a shroud. Therefore, even though it didn’t take him long to bring Jungkook’s body from the king’s quarters to Jungkook’s room, the news about the younger’s death spread like wildfire. Jungkook had been well beloved by the other servants because he had always been kind and showed them a smile no matter how much stress he was under and so it went like a collective outcry through the castle.  

Taehyung was still on his knees on the hard floor, his hands closing into fists, his knuckles turning white repeatedly. “He didn’t deserve this,” He mumbled to himself, shaking his head as he still couldn’t believe what had happened. Tae’s eyes flickered around the room, when it fell onto something. The lowering sun was reflecting on the shiny metal of the king’s sword making him blink his eyes furiously. His chest was rising heavily with every breath he took as he slowly got up. He was almost a knight. And this right here didn’t need any status.

It needed rage.

A low growl escaped him, when Taehyung reached for the king’s sword, his eyes red with the anger burning inside of him. “What do you think you’re doing?” The king’s voice sounded brittle, like something fragile that was streaked with cracks and could crumble any moment. Nonetheless he was still the king and his words exuded power. He reached out for his sword, but Tae had already taken the sword and he didn’t look like he was keen on giving it back. “For taking my sword alone I could have you beheaded.” There was no threat in that sentence, just an emotionless statement. Namjoon was tired. He wanted to lay down and forget what happened and wake up to Jungkook by his side and the youngers beautiful smile that reached his eyes that made him look so happy and so... alive… Namjoon got up, shaking the memory out of his head. He would lose himself in them if he gave in. And he would lose another servant, because Taehyung would never even make it close to the prince or Jimin or whoever else he tried to attack. He wasn’t wearing a knights attire. People would see the sword and hold him back.

“You should have protected him!” Taehyung yelled at Namjoon furiously, “Because of you he is dead. It’s your…your fault! All he wanted was your love and you made him fear you! Made him run to someone who used his weaknesses and still…” He choked on a sob, sinking down onto his knees, while he desperately held onto the sword. His blood covered hands shaking with the weak attempt to keep himself upright. “They killed him, because he was yours,” He gulped heavily against the lump in his throat, his teary eyes gazing up at Namjoon, “He deserves revenge! His death shouldn’t be for nothing!”

Namjoon let the servant scream at him, had him yell those words that spoke from his heart. Because Taehyung was right. Jungkook had always been starving for his attention, his affection, anything that made him feel like Namjoon could possibly love him in a way. And he had known it - and used it against him, to manipulate Jungkook, to keep him in check and keep him for himself. Maybe Taehyung was right that none of this would have happened if he had only shown Jungkook a little more kindness, a little more love. Because the saddest part of this was that he had loved Jungkook. He just hadn’t let him see in fear of seeming weak or being at Jungkook’s mercy.

“What will you do Taehyung? Will killing someone bring Jungkook back? Do you think he would feel better if he knew that his best friend got himself killed as well? Because they will get you and then they will put u to death for murder, no matter if you made it to the prince or got caught on the way.”

Taehyung stern gaze was piercing through Namjoon. “I don’t care! I can’t go on and pretend like nothing happened,” He spat at the king not caring about any finesse or any rules, “What do I have to lose?” For a moment, both of them just looked at each other, tears flowing from their cheeks. “He didn’t deserve to be a part of yours and Hoseok’s games! He deserved more! He deserves to be remembered!” He paused, shaking from the effort it took from him. “I promised to protect him, my king,” Taehyung finally broke as the sword fell onto the floor and the stable boy barely held himself up on his hands. The sobs shuddered his whole body. “I promised,” He whispered repeatedly.  

It felt strange, to show his ‘weakness’ so openly but he figured with the salty streaks still over his face he didn’t have much to lose. So, he reached out for Taehyung and pulled him close, embracing him like he should have done with Jungkook everytime the younger was hurting - instead of using his ache against him to bind the boy further to him. “Jungkook will never be forgotten. Not ever. Even if I tried I couldn't. And Hoseok will pay for this. He and everyone who was involved with this. I will make them pay with everything they hold dear until they regret that they ever even thought of hurting Jungkook. And Jungkook he... he will get the most beautiful grave. With white marble and the flowers he liked so much. And I promise to visit him regularly so he’ll never be lonely. We can make picnics on his birthday in the garden under the willow were you two played hide and seek. I’ll give you the whole day off and we can fill the day with memories of Jungkook until it feels like he was still alive. I… I told him that I would never let him go. And I won’t. He’s gonna stay with me forever and I won’t… I won’t let anything come between us. Not even death.”

Taehyung held onto Namjoon’s shirt tightly, sobbing into his shoulder but listening to every word he said. He nodded, soft little hiccups coming from him in a weak attempt to speak. Leaning back, Taehyung’s expression turned stern and he looked up at the king. “Make me a knight,” He spoke softly, “I want to stand up for him, stand by your side if you fight. I want to be able to protect him.” Taking in a sharp breath, his voice cracked a little, “I…I learned everything already. Jin taught me everything. I only need to receive the accolade from you. Let my rage be your weapon.”

Namjoon laughed, humorlessly so at the way Taehyung’s eyes had changed. He had always looked so innocent despite his age and his training. Now the innocence was gone, and he could see the same expression that a few of his other knights had; the ones that were the first to fight and the most difficult to be killed: a recklessness that went beyond his own physical integrity, a hint of madness born from pain - and last but not least a pure hunger for revenge that would only be sated with blood.

Gently he wiped the tears away from Taehyung’s face, a sad smile on his own. “Yeah, you look ready. Don’t get yourself killed please. He would never forgive me if I let you get killed. And I need you to remember him with me. So, if you can guarantee both of that, then I will grant you your wish. And then we will come for those who hurt him.”

Neither of them had anything left to lose now as silly as that sounded coming from the king. But he had never felt as whole and real and alive as he could with Jungkook so now that the younger had died taking that spark with him he had no idea how he should be able to stand the fake wedding and the nonsense meetings and the repetitive, exhausting and boring conferences that had become his life. If this was what was awaiting him - then he didn’t want it. There was no worth in living for glory or wealth or all those other empty promises. He had them and they only made him feel empty. It was the people that filled his life with meaning.

But he had realized that too late.

And it had needed a piece of his heart dying to teach him.

A/N: I am sorry for any minor mistakes since I cried while editing it again lmao. Anyways, We hope you liked the story although it was a sad ending for a change ;; There are more smaller stories coming soon and we’re already working on a Sequel to the ‘Mile High Valentine Club’ Minjoon story for you guys! Thank you so much for every comment and the love you sent to Cat’s and my stories. 

Subscribed: @jeonsdear @taeofcups @awjiminie @jungkpop @violentredroses @bluekyuprincess @wise-bts-collector @nochuukookie @mintynicotine @yesiamhangry @dancelinestan @dajosaf @angeljk @violetrose120 @fusselkuchen @bngtnsnyndn-ily @whatarelarryfeels @hinikkihere @minsugasnerd @h-e-l-p-m-e-p-l-e-a-s-e @hisheartsmile @lxnehxre @gelsavitichi @yoonqiful @thenameoftherain 

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[lizacstuff]

Anons 7x06

Lots of anons in my inbox, a few under the cut. The tone of most asks is not complimentary towards the season or episode, you have been warned. 

Anonymous said:Seems like there must not be a lot of Regina fans out there, despite the ER making a lot of noise. Demos held steady. 

I wouldn’t count those numbers before they’re hatched.  Sound like the show was preempted in certain markets (Boston, a huge DMA, for one) so the numbers should be adjusted for that when the nationals come out on Monday. Right now OUAT is getting credit for whatever replacement programming the affiliate put in it’s place. 

Anonymous said:I'm seeing that for some areas the episode got pushed back till early Saturday morning. Do they take into account when figuring out the ratings? I'm already seeing ERs complaining about it and saying if the ratings are bad that's the only reason why. 😒

See above. The overnights (today's ratings) include viewership for whatever aired in OUAT’s place.  Monday they should adjust to reflect more accurately how many people watched the actual episode. They are right, though, in it negatively impacting the live numbers. However, it shouldn't really impact the L+3 or L+7 numbers. 

Anonymous said:Is it bad that I laughed outloud when I saw that Regina gave everything Ivy she needed to cast her curse? Just like the time Regina pushed Lily too far and she turned into a dragon and endanger the town? Or the time she told Zelena to go after Hades and change him and refused to listen to anyone's concerns and everyone almost ended up trapped in Hell? I'm surprised the writer's still don't see the pattern like fans do.

Even without malicious intentions, she’s a disaster who ruins everyone’s lives. It’s bizarre that the writers continually follow the pattern, but never have Regina question her own judgement when she’s doing it. Whatever else happens, Regina makes emotional, unilateral decisions that usually end up biting other people in the ass. 

Anonymous said:Why would Regina stop henry for having a tlk with jacinda to break the curse? they don't have chemistry but they have been written as tl, at least make them kiss to destroy this stupid season one for all

Because Ivy did something, that Regina remembers, that will put the people that Regina “loves” in jeopardy if the curse is broken.  We don’t know who is in jeopardy or how. 

Anonymous said:So the reboot it's all Regina's fault? Why am I not surprised? Having Henry all for her and without snowing and captain swan, obviously a villain like her was behind this

Regina isn’t being purposefully villainous, but her stupid choices have landed them in this position.

Anonymous said:So regina thought she never adopted a child and its now forced to live with him not knowing her and can't break the curse?? Also her soulmate still dead and she is away from sb and her "family"&"friends"? Hahahahahaha karma is a beautiful thing!!! So she is alone and miserable and childless? Jefferson, snowing of the early seasons and the whole ef1 is laughing and partying

I suppose she is getting a little bit of karmic retribution, but I wouldn’t consider her knowing Henry is her adult son, and still being close to him even though he doesn't know, as quite the same thing as orphaning Emma and Snowing missing out on raising her or knowing her for 28 years.  

Anonymous said:Its weird since I thought Shoe Believer had an okay start in the beginning. It wasn't anywhere near CS or Snowing but they were still okay. With every episode they just feel more and more dull and forced.

I always thought it was forced, particularly in the pilot, but I thought it might grow as the season progressed. I’m not feeling it.  They are telling us it’s true love, not showing us.  Unlike CS, Snowing or RB where we saw those relationships develop over time, this feels completely unearned, and a TLK would be like  Zades or Red Warrior where it feels like complete out-of-nowhere nonsense.  CS had to go through multiple seasons of trials and tribulations, both proving they would go to the end of the world or time for one another, before the show would even whisper True Love at them.  The writers have lost their mojo when it comes to writing a love story.

Anonymous said:After this weeks episode I'm more thankful than ever that Regina is far away from Captain Swan and everyone in storybrooke. They don't need to suffer the consequences of someone who has failed as a queen and a mayor.

Honestly, it being canon that Regina and Rumple are out of Storybrooke, is the silver lining to S7.  

Anonymous said:I’m kind of confused , since 7x02 I’ve been trying to keep up with show . But I haven’t been paying that much attention ( I usually just put it on the tv while I’m on my computer or something, so it’s really just background noise ) but I do have a question, who is that hag in lady tremaine’s basement thing ? And also ..... can you list the people who are aware that there was a curse / who’s now awake . Cuz I can’t keep up

That’s the witch.  Right now I think the only characters awake are Ivy, Regina, and sometimes Alice when she isn’t on medication.  I could be wrong though, because my ability to stay focused during this show has not been great. 

Anonymous said:I stopped watching s7 after 7x02 but as someone who still watches it/keeps tabs on it do you know if the timeline is explained like now that Lucy is born and is 10 years old does that mean captain swan's child is around that age or is Emma still pregnant cause time moves differently?

They haven’t really answered that question yet as far as I know. My gut is that very little time has passed in Storybrooke and as we speak Captain Swan is preparing for their baby. But that’s my gut, not fact. 

Anonymous said:I'm so mad - this was the last drop for me with this show. I have been watching S7 for Colin (I'm a Nielsen family and my viewing does count for the ratings) but what they had Henry say last night was the last straw. Swan Believer and their amazing dynamic in season 1 was what kept me watching the show (until CS came along ) and to have to see the writers IGNORE what was once the backbone of the original show (Emma/Henry) to prop an abusive mother/son relationship is absolute bullshit.

cont - previous ask about Swan Believer. I feel sorry for Colin and for the cast and crew, but from now on I will not be watching the show anymore. Nothing about it excites me/makes me happy. It feels like a chore. And these writers do NOT deserve to get renewed nor to get anymore chances to ruin their own canon of what was once a beautiful show.

Describing it as a chore is pretty spot on. I understand you wanting to watch for Colin (especially as a Nielsen household) but you gotta do what’s right for you.  That line seemed completely unnecessary. There were a lot of ways they could have had a nice mother/son moment without going there. 

Anonymous said:I just saw a gifset of Regina waking up from the curse. So that's really the reaction she chose to go with? She really hasn't seemed to grasp the subtleties of acting, has she?

No, she has not. However, I have to say that Lana’s acting as Roni in Hyperion Heights this episode was the least of the episode’s problems. 

Anonymous said:Did you see any of Lana's answers to her fans on Twitter? Besides laughing at the idea of her wanting to do a remake of Silence of the Lambs and play Clarice, when she was asked what she's learned from Bex she said that red heads have more fun than blondes. I imagine in this situation you answer these questions quickly and don't contemplate on your answers, but wow did that seem like a dig. And if you look through the comments all of her rabid fans seemed to think so too and were loving it.

I thought a more accurate tweet would have been  “Red heads kiss my ass better than blondes."  ‘Cause Bex has had her lips permanently affixed to her ass for years now, just the way Lana likes it. 

Anonymous said:I'm indifferent about Wish Hook, and I wouldn't mind if his daughter was Alice and they got a storyline together, but they got nowhere in this episode? And going by the promo, the mess of the wish realm strikes again as Wish Hook was realm-traveling apparently. How did a non-wish Rapunzel from a separate realm come across someone who didn't exist until present-day 6x10? This is unexplainable.

Do we know that Rapunzel is from a separate realm and not from the Wish Realm?  It would be unbelievable to think that WishHook left the WISHAU before it was created with EQ’s “wish” in 6x10.  I think looking for any sort of logic or even in-universe fairy tale logic to make sense of anything to do with the WishRealm, including WishHook, is an exercise in futility.

It simply doesn’t make sense, and each episodes they change the rules to accommodate anything they want to do.  Of course I think it’s nonsense, but I’d still rather this and have CS safely tucked away from this ridiculous season, than have them using the real Hook this season.  Because honestly I don’t care about the integrity of the storytelling in S7, I only care about CS. (though that doesn’t stop me from poking fun at it.)

Anonymous said:I honestly was not one bit surprised when Colin said he was still under contract this season, but at the same time I do believe he enjoys playing this character and I'm sure he feels loyal to the show, it has been his big break. But I have to believe with the storylines and the material he's given, if not already, then by the end of filming he'll probably be in the same mind frame as Bobby. 100% only there for a paycheck. I just hope his agent is actively seeking better opportunities for him.

We really don’t know what he’s thinking or feeling, but low ratings have got to affect things on set in some way, so it sucks if he’s in any kind of stressful environment.  Even if it’s just them getting pressured to send out scripted PR tweets for each episode. On the upside, other than 7x02, he’s been in these eps so rarely, that I’d guess he’s not working more than 1-2 days per episode, which probably means a lot of time that he can be home with his family and newborn.  It might be a blessing for them right now. As I said we can’t know, but I just wish the best for him and his future career.

Anonymous said:Was there something wrong with the Rogers' scenes? I thought they were pretty decent, especially his interactions with Alice.

To all my anons wanting to know about Rogers scenes, you’ll have to come off anon if you want to chat about it.